Weight-Loss Rx to Be Pulled from Market

(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked a pharmaceutical company to pull its weight-loss medication off the market. And the company agreed.

The FDA asked Eisai Inc. to remove Belviq/Belviq XR (lorcaserin) from the market due to an increased risk of cancer tied to the drug. The company announced that it would voluntarily remove the drug from the market in the United States.

In 2012, when the FDA approved lorcaserin, it asked the company to conduct studies to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, various types of cancer have since been reported to occur more often in those taking lorcaserin. The cancer types include pancreatic, colorectal and lung cancer, according to the FDA.

The FDA recommended that people stop taking this medication and speak with their health care provider about next steps. Next steps may include considering other weight-loss medications.

The agency also recommended that people discard unused medication properly. One way is to find a drug take-back location.

The FDA was not recommending a special screening for anyone who has taken this weight-loss pill. As with all medications, the agency strongly encouraged people to report adverse events or side effects tied to lorcaserin to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Speak with your health care provider if you have any questions.

Written by Anyssa Garza, PharmD, BCMAS